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Messiah the Prince Revisited
Journalist J.K. Wall updates William Symington's classic work on the mediatorial kingship of Christ. He explains Jesus' rule over all nations and all governors and all voters for this generation. Practical, accessible, and crystal-clear. Includes insightful sidebars and a glossary of terms.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 2, 2025
This is a modernized version of a book called "Messiah the Prince," written by William Symington, a Scottish Presbyterian pastor and theologian, in 1839. At its essence, the book is a thorough theological treatment of the kingship of Christ, presented in more updated language by J.K. Wall, a journalist from Indianapolis.
The case is made that in every conceivable way, Jesus Christ is king: the Old Testament anticipates him as the coming king; he possesses all of the qualifications to be a righteous and good king; and by his resurrection he is crowned as king.
In the second half of the book, the discussion gets more provocative as the relationship between Christ and the state is dealt with. Passages such as Psalm 2:10-12, 47:8-9 and Psalm 72 suggest that Christ's kingship extends beyond the church to all the nations and their leaders. Nations are exalted for their righteousness and punished for their wickedness. Expectations are given for the character and practice of kings. "Government of nations and their rulers in their official roles were required in Bible times to make the scriptures their guidebook of political duties. This means that any nation blessed by God with the Bible is obligated, in all times, to model its political activities on the Bible." (p.119).
The subject of chapter 10 is the most controversial of the book – that it is a nation's duty to support the church. This does not mean that church and state are the same; nor does it mean that the state should force conversions (p.138); nor does it mean that the church is dependent on the state. But, "it makes no sense to say that nations, which are the moral subjects of Christ, are not required or not even allowed to support the church, which is the organization dearest to the heart of Christ." (p.131).
These ideas are difficult for Americans, who are weaned on the assumption of "separation of church and state." But the authors are clear: "the church and the state must remain distinct from each other, but two things may be distinct without being hostile to each other." (p.146).
This book raises many provocative questions, which the authors acknowledge are not easy to answer, as the precise responsibility and limits of government are hard to define and require much careful reflection (which is the case with all theological and ethical issues). But with all the talk today about religious liberty and Christian nationalism, this book helps us think about it all in a Biblical fashion, and with the right fundamental starting point: Christ is King.
The case is made that in every conceivable way, Jesus Christ is king: the Old Testament anticipates him as the coming king; he possesses all of the qualifications to be a righteous and good king; and by his resurrection he is crowned as king.
In the second half of the book, the discussion gets more provocative as the relationship between Christ and the state is dealt with. Passages such as Psalm 2:10-12, 47:8-9 and Psalm 72 suggest that Christ's kingship extends beyond the church to all the nations and their leaders. Nations are exalted for their righteousness and punished for their wickedness. Expectations are given for the character and practice of kings. "Government of nations and their rulers in their official roles were required in Bible times to make the scriptures their guidebook of political duties. This means that any nation blessed by God with the Bible is obligated, in all times, to model its political activities on the Bible." (p.119).
The subject of chapter 10 is the most controversial of the book – that it is a nation's duty to support the church. This does not mean that church and state are the same; nor does it mean that the state should force conversions (p.138); nor does it mean that the church is dependent on the state. But, "it makes no sense to say that nations, which are the moral subjects of Christ, are not required or not even allowed to support the church, which is the organization dearest to the heart of Christ." (p.131).
These ideas are difficult for Americans, who are weaned on the assumption of "separation of church and state." But the authors are clear: "the church and the state must remain distinct from each other, but two things may be distinct without being hostile to each other." (p.146).
This book raises many provocative questions, which the authors acknowledge are not easy to answer, as the precise responsibility and limits of government are hard to define and require much careful reflection (which is the case with all theological and ethical issues). But with all the talk today about religious liberty and Christian nationalism, this book helps us think about it all in a Biblical fashion, and with the right fundamental starting point: Christ is King.
April 23, 2025
read this book through pastor matthew everhard's online book club.
i felt that the book's arguments, especially when it came to that of Christ's mediatorial kingship over the nations, were a bit limited in order to make the work more accessible.
symington's argument for the nation's duty to support the Church was simple but did not sit well with me. perhaps it's because i have always been taught the necessity of the separation of church and state. but symington's argument essentially goes like this:
Christ is King over all things, including every facet and level of government. this not only means that He is sovereignly in control over them, but that they owe Him their allegiance, acknowledgement, and obedience. thus, governments and nations are obligated to honor Christ publicly, use the Scriptures as their rule of law, and give legal and financial support to the Church.
symington also fleshes out other practical outcomes of Christ's mediatorial kingship such as considering a politician's personal morality as well as their policies when voting for them.
it was an interesting read that deepened my perspective on Christ's kingship. personally, it strengthened my resolve to see everything and give everything for the honor of Jesus Christ who is the King. it was hard to look through symington's scottish postmillennialism to try and assess his arguments in an unbiased manner. i would like to see other arguments regarding the relationship between the Church and state before holding to any position with any sort of confidence.
i felt that the book's arguments, especially when it came to that of Christ's mediatorial kingship over the nations, were a bit limited in order to make the work more accessible.
symington's argument for the nation's duty to support the Church was simple but did not sit well with me. perhaps it's because i have always been taught the necessity of the separation of church and state. but symington's argument essentially goes like this:
Christ is King over all things, including every facet and level of government. this not only means that He is sovereignly in control over them, but that they owe Him their allegiance, acknowledgement, and obedience. thus, governments and nations are obligated to honor Christ publicly, use the Scriptures as their rule of law, and give legal and financial support to the Church.
symington also fleshes out other practical outcomes of Christ's mediatorial kingship such as considering a politician's personal morality as well as their policies when voting for them.
it was an interesting read that deepened my perspective on Christ's kingship. personally, it strengthened my resolve to see everything and give everything for the honor of Jesus Christ who is the King. it was hard to look through symington's scottish postmillennialism to try and assess his arguments in an unbiased manner. i would like to see other arguments regarding the relationship between the Church and state before holding to any position with any sort of confidence.
December 6, 2016
A vital and necessary topic - and a great idea to abridge Symington's great work. J.K. Wall has made it accessible and shown how this doctrine is still relevant in today's world.
This is a much needed accompaniment to a book like Poythress's Lordship of Christ. Symington provides the underlying foundation that Poythress assumes, and he unpacks it's relevance and application to nations, not just individuals.
We serve a wonderful King, and this book sets out the extent and nature of his kingship - "head over all things for the church".
A good solid book - I would give it three and half stars - I feel Wall was constrained by his goal of abridging Symington, I would love to see him use Symington as a launchpad to develop the applications of the doctrine further (eg. as he does here http://gentlereformation.com/2016/12/...)
This is a much needed accompaniment to a book like Poythress's Lordship of Christ. Symington provides the underlying foundation that Poythress assumes, and he unpacks it's relevance and application to nations, not just individuals.
We serve a wonderful King, and this book sets out the extent and nature of his kingship - "head over all things for the church".
A good solid book - I would give it three and half stars - I feel Wall was constrained by his goal of abridging Symington, I would love to see him use Symington as a launchpad to develop the applications of the doctrine further (eg. as he does here http://gentlereformation.com/2016/12/...)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews